Wick-type deodorizer and attachment means



June 21, 1966 L. M. CORNING WICK-TYPE DEODORIZER AND ATTACHMENT MEANS Filed April 15, 1964 INVENTOR. LEO/V M. CORN/N6 BY 9 4 5 A A T TOPNE V United States Patent 3,257,077 WICK-TYPE DEODORIZER AND ATTACHMENT MEANS Leon M. Corning, Redwood City, Calif., assignor to Advance Chemical Company, San Francisco, Calif. Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,223

3 Claims. (Cl. 239-47) This invention relates to a new and improved wicktype deodorizer and means for attachment thereof to surfaces of toilets, urinals and walls and partitions of public toilets, as well as domestic bathroom and kitchens, where objectionable odors are likely to be present. More particularly, the invention relates to a container for deodorizer liquid having an.extensible wick, preferably attached to a spring to extend the wick when the container cap is removed. The container is also provided with means for attachment to a substantially vertical surface of the type heretofore described A preferred means for attachment is a double-faced pressure sensitive tape member, said tape being provided with an inner web which facilitates conformity to the surface to which the container is applied.

A principal feature of the invention is the provision of a length of Wire spring longer than the length of the container, fastened'at both extremities to the wick. The wick and wire bear against the cap of the container with spring pressure. When the cap is removed, the wire extends to its full length, partially outside the container, extending the upper end of the wick up with it. Thus the lower end of the wick remains immersed in the deodorizer liquid while the upper end is automatically extended a proper distance above the neck of the con tainer. This featureeliminates the necessity of pulling the wick out by hand and also insures that the wick protrudes the proper distance automatically. The wick and spring can readily be compressed in the container by replacing the cap. Thus, this feature obviates the necessity of the users hands coming in contact with the wick or the deodorizer liquid in the wick.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a strip of double-faced adhesive material aflixed to one broad, fiat surface of the container, which is thus conveniently caused to adhere to any surface without use ofbrackets or similar means requiring nails, screws, and the like, extending into the wall .or surface. Such adhesive material has a web of material similar to blotting paper which enables the tape to conform to surface irregularities.

A further feature of the'invention is the fact that the container is preferably plastic, thereby eliminating any danger of breakage of the container, or the danger of broken glass in the area, or spilling an objectionable quantity of deodorizing liquid. 7

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a length of wick such that when the plug is removed from the neck the wick is partially exposed to the atmosphere, its lower end being at all times immersed in the liquid, and thus by capillary action the fluid is caused to evaporate into the surrounding atmosphere to deodorize the same. Preferably, the deodorizing fluid is, itself scented so that objectionable odors are replaced with a pleasant perfume.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a cap which is placed over the neck of the container to prevent loss of deodorizing liquid 'by spillage or evaporation when not in use as, for instance, in shipment or storage.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which simice.

ilar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a deodorizer constructed in accordance with the present invention, the adhesive'being partially exposed by removal of a protective strip.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the container aflixed to a supporting surface with the cap in place. 1

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the container in the position according'to FIG. 2, but with the cap removed to expose a portion of the wick to the atmosphere by means'of the spring wire affixed to the wick.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

The container 11 is preferably formed of a light weight flexible plastic, such as polyethylene. It has a flat bottom 12,- broad front and back surfaces 13, 14, which are arcuate but flat enough in the center to be considered planar and narrow sides 16 which curve upwardly-inwardly to a fairly abrupt shoulder 17, from which projects a neck 18, terminating in a top lip 19. Neck 18 is preferably screw-threaded. A conventional screw cap 21 is threaded onto neck 18 when the con- I upper end of wick is clipped to helical coil 24 on the upper end of spring wire 23. A similar coil 24 at the lower end of wire 23 prevents puncture of the container. Wire 23 extends from the bottom of the container up into neck 18. When cap 21 is in place, wire 23 is compressed and bent. The length of wick 22 is substantially greater than the height of container 11; thus the lower end of wick 22 rests adjacent bottom 12 and insures that the wick 22 is thoroughly wet with liquid 25 inside container 11.

When cap 21 is inscrewed from neck 18, compression is released from spring wire 23 and spring wire 23 automatically extends substantially to its full length partially outside container 11, carrying the upper end of wick 22 up and out of container 11. The lower end of v wick 22 remains immersed in liquid 25 while the upper portion of wick 22 is exposed to the atmosphere. Liquid 25 rises up wick 22- by capillary action and, Where wick 22 is exposed to the atmosphere, evaporates to deodorize the surrounding area. When, if for any reason, it is desired to discontinue use of the device, cap 21 is placed over the upper extremity of spring wire 23 and wick 22 and replaced on neck 18, thereby retracting spring wire 23 Within container 11 and at the same time retracting wick 22.

The composition of liquid 25 forms no part of the present invention, but much composition may be any well-known deodorizing and scenting liquid, of which a number are commercially available,

As has been stated, at least the central portion of back 14 is relatively planar. An important feature of the present invention is the fact that the container 11 may be attached to a wall 26, preferably vertical. Such a wall may be the wall of the flush tank of a toilet, the side of a urinal, or a wall or partition adjacent a-toilet fixture.

Affixed to the middle of back 14 and running substantially from above the top to about the middle thereof is a strip 27. Strip 27 tapers longitudinally with the broader end uppermost and at a level above shoulder 17. The upper broad portion provides a greater area for thumb or finger pressure to adhere the strip to a supporting surface 30 and also a greater area of adhesive. It will also be understood that such shape is economical in use of material if strips are die-cut from a web, alternate strips being reversed in direction. The corners of strip 27 are rounded as shown in the drawing. Strip 27 is preferably of a flexible nature, so that the strip will conform to irregularities in wall 30, a material such as blotting paper being suitable for such purpose. The strip 27 is provided with adhesive 31 on the side facing back 14, and with similar adhesive 32 on side affixed to wall 30. Thus the strip 27 resembles double-faced adhesive tape, but differs somewhat in the presence of thick flexible material between the two faces of adhesive. Adhesive 31 is permanently aflixed to back 14. During transportation and storage, a strip of paper 33 of generally the same shape as strip 27 cove-rs the outer adhesive 32. A permanent cover strip 28 covers the exposed opposite upper end of strip 27 to permit the fingers from contacting the adhesive. use, the strip 33 is peeled off as shown in FIG. 1, and thereupon the container 11 is pressed against surface 30 by means of rounded portion 28, adhesive 32 causing strip 27 to be attached to wall 30. After the contents of container 11 are exhausted, the adhesive may conveniently be pulled off of the wall 30.

Thus in the use the device is attached to wall 30, as has heretofore been described. Thereupon, cap 21 is removed, a portion of wick 22 is automatically exposed to the atmosphere by means of spring wire 23. If for any reason it is necessary to discontinue use of the device, cap 21 may be replaced and spring wire 23 and wick 22 retracted into container 11.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for deodorizing various areas comprising a portable, light-weight container for deodorizing liquid, an adhesive material aflixed to said container to attach said container to a desired supporting surface, a length of wick extending into the interior of said container, a cap sealing the orifice of said container, a spring wire partially in said container at all times and of a length greater than the height of said container formed with a first helical coil at its upper end and a second helical coil at its bottom end, each said coil having a plurality of When the device is ready for turns, said wick being relatively flat and thin, said wick being received and clamped between adjacent turns of said second coil at its lower end and'received and clamped between adjacent turns of said first coil adjacent the upper end of said wick, said second coil resting on the bottom of said container, said first coil extending substantially above said container when said cap is removed to expose a substantial length of said wick to atmosphere while the lower end of said wick remains at the bottom of said container.

2. A device for deodorizing various areas comprising a portable, light-weight container for deodorizing liquid, an adhesive material affixed to said container to attach said container to a desired supporting surface, a length of Wick extending into the interior of said container, a cap sealing the orifice of said container, spring means afiixed to said wick, whereby removal of said cap automatically exposes said wick to the atmosphere while the opposite end of said wick remains in the interior of said container, said adhesive material comprising a flat flexible strip of adhesive on both sides and consisting of a web of flexible material extending between said adhesive strips to allow conformity to said supporting surface, said container having a relatively flat vertical Wall and in which said strip extends vertically substantially above the top of said wall, said strip being tapered longitudinally and being of greater Width at the top, whereby said strip may be more easily affixed to the desired supporting surface.

3. A device according to claim 2, which further comprises a removable first protective cover covering the adhesive of said strip on its outer surface and a second protective cover covering the adhesive of said strip on its inner surface where it extends above said fiat vertical wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,102,690 12/ 1937 Fischer 248-205 2,142,194 1/1939 Karfiol.

2,340,521 2/1944 Engert.

2,537,357 1/1951 Levin 239-47 2,538,989 1/ 1951 1 Tomaschke 23947 2,764,817 10/ 1956 Schwartz.

M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner.

R. S. STROBEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR DEODORIZING VARIOUS AREAS COMPRISING A PORTABLE, LIGHT-WEIGHT CONTAINER FOR DEODORIZING LIQUID AN ADHESIVE MATERIAL AFFIXED TO SAID CONTAINER TO ATTACH SAID CONTAINER TO A DESIRED SUPPORTING SURFACE, A LENGHT OF WICK EXTENDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER, A CAP SEALING THE ORIFICE OF SAID CONTAINER, A SPRING WIRE PARTIALLY IN SAID CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES AND OF A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE HEIGHT OF SAID CONTAINER FORMED WITH A FIRST HELICAL COIL AT ITS UPPER END AND A SECOND HELICAL COIL AT ITS BOTTOM END, EACH SAID COIL HAVING A PLURALITY OF TURNS, SAID WICK BEING RELATIVELY FLAT AND THIN, SAID WICK BEING RECEIVED AND CLAMPED BETWEEN ADJACENT TURNS OF SAID SECOND COIL AT ITS LOWER END AND RECEIVED AND CLAMPED BETWEEN ADJACENT TURNS OF SAID FIRST COIL ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF SAID WICK, SAID SECOND COIL RESTING ON THE BOTTOM OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID FIRST COIL EXTENDING SUB- 